Conference misery::feline_v1

    I have 3 cats and all ride very differently in the car.  When Barney
    and Gonezo were kittens, I took them everywhere and they rode very
    well.  I generally bring carriers for each cat, but have to treat them
    different:
    
    Benjamin:  MUST be in a carrier at all times, although he hates it.  If
    he's not in the carrier, he wanders all around the car, my lap, feet,
    head, etc and drives me crazy with his wailing.
    
    Barney:  Has always ridden well.  I put him in the carrier on the back
    seat and leave the door open.  He will come out from time to time to
    stretch his legs, but usually stays in the carrier for security reasons
    I assume.
    
    Gonezo:  Used to ride well in the car but now associates it with the
    long drive to the vet.  If I leave him in the carrier during a road
    trip, he pees and poops in it which leaves a very unpleasant smell and
    a mess for me (or the vet's assistant) to clean up.  I now let him roam
    the back seat and back of my truck, and I provide him with a litter box
    which he actually uses, or at least rearranges the litter so it's all
    over the truck and not in the box.
    
    I suggest you get a carrier for Sophie which will make your trip
    easier.  When you come to a rest stop, let her wander around the car
    for a few minutes and give her lots of love and attention.  It might
    also make her feel more secure if she is confined.
    
    Good luck with your journey and Merry Christmas.
    Mary
    

    Think of the car experience through Sophie's eyes.  All she knows
    is that she is "hurdling through space".  (this is my husband's
    description of it)  Some of our cats like to hurdle through space,
    others prefer not to.  Limoges will actually stand up at the window
    and turn her head with each sign, etc, that rushes past.  That is
    an activity that will make me car sick everytime!  But, we always
    knew that she wasn't quite "normal".  :^)  
    
    So, maybe if Sophie couldn't see that she was hurdling through space,
    she wouldn't get so upset.  Try the carrier and see if that helps.
    
    Jo

    And make sure you put something soft in the bottom of the carrier
    for her to sit on.
    
    Shayne (New Zealand)

      My Ruby used to hate the car too.  I had always let him sit on the
    seat and he'd get quite carsick.  I guess it was because he could see
    out at everything rushing past him.  The first time I tried a carrier,
    I was amazed.  I always used it after that, he never got sick with the
    carrier.
    
      Lately, I've been hearing a lot about using catnip when traveling.
    Give kitty some catnip to have with them on the trip, this is supposed
    to end traveling problems. None of my current brood have any trouble
    traveling, so I haven't tried it, but some of my neighbors have, and
    they say it really works!
    
                                         Denise

    Thanks for the help.  We did end up getting a carrier - but I felt that
    even though Henri didn't need to be in it, I couldn't put Sophie in and
    allow Henri to go where she pleased - I thought Sophie would feel I was
    showing favouritism and would get jealous (would that be the case do
    you think?).  
    
    The result was that Henri was as quiet as usual, although somewhat
    perturbed by the whole experience - whereas Sophie was quiet as long as
    we were on a motorway.  As soon as we started turning corners she'd
    wake up and start wailing again, which was bad news when we hit London
    and had to drive from the North of the city to the South.  
    
    So it was an improvement - although it's still quite an ordeal for both
    parties - especially since Sophie also peed and plopped in the carrier
    round a particularly bad corner...!
                                                             
    The catnip sounds an interesing option - might try that next time!
    
    Ruthie T.

    Just out of interest...
    
    I have been informed, that it is illegal to have cats loose in a car
    when travelling.  They either have to be in an appropiate box, or
    tied, so that they cannot wonder around.
                 
    Has anyone else heard the same?
    
    Regards
    
    Helena
    

    Re: .6
    
    Is that for the US, UK or everywhere?  I certainly haven't heard of it
    being illegal, but experience tells me it should be.
    
    Ruthie

There are laws in several states (I think New Mexico is one...but don't hold
me to it) that state all animals in the "cab" of the vehicle - where they can
get access to the driver - must be "properly restrained" while the vehicle is
in motion.  As far as I know, the "proper restraint" is not clearly stated,
but pet seat belts or carriers are the restraint I would assume from that
wording.  You are right, all states should have the law and should enforce
it...it would prevent accidents and pet deaths.  Even though kitty may
enjoy looking out the window, an accident could throw the cat under someone
else to be crushed...and a scared cat that gets under the brake pedal can
kill all passengers.

As an aside, I think the most important law to enact is to make it illegal
to carry a dog in the bed of a pickup truck.  There is absolutely no
protection for the dog and even a minor fender-bender can throw the dog
into on-coming traffic with tragic results.

    Dian
    
    Here in California, they passed a law about dogs in pickup trucks
    just a few years ago, I believe.  I will have to check with my mom,
    who works for the P.D. 
    
    Jo

    Well said, 8.
    

    When I was a child, and we went for a ride in the car, we always
    brought our cat and dog.  They would sleep the whole time.  It
    was my sister and I that acted up!
    
    Now that I'm older and have my own cats. (or I should say THEY have
    me) I put all three in one large pet taxi.  They like to be all
    together they are very close to one another.  They don't like to travel
    but I guess it's because I 'm usually taking them to the vet, but they
    are all different.  Kitty - the oldest is very calm and quiet.  Jazmyn
    and Sassafrass (brothers) are noisy, mostly Sass, this usually gets
    Jazmyn going. I think I'm going to try the catnip (RE: .4) with them 
    next time.
    
    Doreen